newbie

please feel free to ramble, ive been doing it in here for the last 3yrs, their a good bunch on here,if you feel you d benefit from a quick answer get your test done in hospital I know how you feel about friends thinking your drunk I got a lovely little dance going on where I stumble backwards, last week I told my daughter to put the kittens in the oven I meant cakes, Im forever saying the wrong words,good luck with the testsl

Hiya..just wanted to wish you good luck for the tests..it all sounds like its happenning very fast..but as others have said..you should get some answers sooner rather than later and its good this is all happenning whilst your symptoms are active..

no one likes to be in hospital..but I think the drs offer should be taken up as an inpatient youll get everything done in one go....am sure your family can bring some scrummy food in for you so you dont have to eat what they give you..lol

You sound like you have plenty of support from freinds and family..even if they do joke about certain aspects..I think its a good sign they will be there for you no matter what..

let us know how you get on..

Hi Lorraine and welcome to this great forum.

I am new to all this too. My legs went numb and cold just before christmas, i have had a spinal mri and have been diagosed with transverse myletis (lesions on spine) I had my brain mri today and am waiting to see neuro in two weeks to talk through all my results. I am feeling much better now since christmas and have started back at gym and started a real healthy eating/living regime (it just makes me feel better - like I am doing the best for my body).

You sound like you have a lot of symptoms and life must be hard with all that going on. If docs have offered a few days in hosp to get a firm diagnosis then I would jump at the chance! lots of people on here seem to wait ages for a diagnosis and the waiting between neuro appointments lasts forever. But thats easy for me to say and if you have young family etc I can totally understand how it would be so hard to just drop everything and spend a couple of nights in hospital...it's a difficult one.!! let us know what you decide.

Whatever happens it sounds like you are being throughly listened to and looked at so put your trust in the docs.

Hiya..glad youve found it good to come on here..we are all here to support each other..whatever is going on..glad you have decided to take the plunge re hospital..its best to get it all out of the way now..which on a practical level makes sense rather than having chunks of time out for tests and follow up appt. Glad youve seen your optition too..all helps to get a full picture. So pleased your gp and neuro have been so good..they sounds like gems..you need people like that who are working with you..its a team effort afer all!

Stay in touch..we are all thinking of you..dont worry about teh stick..I had one for 3yrs..please make sure its the right height for you..the physio I had didnt bother to check this and just guessed it..lol ..and I ended up walking around with a stick that was 2 inches too short, which in turn affected my posture..I was unaware of this until I went for rehab physio 3 yrs later..you need the stick now regardless of why or what is causing it..and infact if used properly it can help posture and energy levels and stop your body getting into bad postural habits! You dont have to tell people if they ask..just ignore them..its none of thier busines..lol..nosey people should not be prying..the important thing is you want and need to egt around..and its probably safer at this stage to have one than not..

em

Thanks Karen..and your suggestion re the explanation for using the stick to outsiders is excellent!! :_)

I can vouch for the fischer stick as when I changed from a wooden one it was much more comfy..I was getting callouses on my palms due to other on.(.obviously not helped by putting all my weight through that side!! lol )..x

That is quick - excellent!

Regarding flying, I recommend that you get special assistance at the airports (basically a wheelchair to and from the plane) - that way you avoid all walking and queuing, plus you can ask for a seat near a loo. You'll need to arrange it beforehand, so best to do it asap. The flight itself is a bit of a weird thing - many people with MS find they actually feel better when flying. Just do whatever you normally do during the flight; make sure you drink plenty of water and make sure you move your legs about from time to time. Alcohol is not a great idea because flying + alcohol is dehydrating, and dehydration is not a great move for MSers, but you could always make sure and drink plenty of extra water?! 

I don't know about the travel insurance, but knowing how much they try to get out of paying out, it's probably sensible to tell them that you are undergoing investigation for various neurological symptoms. They will probably offer you cover for extra money or to opt out of cover for just that. Best to phone them sooner rather than later in case you want to shop about. (Actually, I think most travel insurance companies want to know about anything that you've had investigated in the previous 12 months, so definitely best to call them.)

Have a fabulous time! (I'm very jealous!!!)

Karen x